Liquefier tank



1 'Oct. 1, 1935. J. F. BOWERS I 2,016,223

LIQUEFIER TANK Filed June 7, 1935 45 FIG. 1.

INVENTOR.

JFTEmwers ATTORNE S.

Patented Qct. 1, 1935 r I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUEFIER TANKJohn Frederick Bowers, Harrisburg, Pa., assignor to Harrisburg SteelCorporation, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 7, 192b,Serial No. 674,744

18 Claims. (Cl. 220-46) This invention relates to improvements in liq-Figure 4 is an edge elevation of the closure part uefier tanks,particularly well adapted to receive illustrate in Fi fluids undersuperatmospheric pressure. F gu e is a bo P V w O the closure Thepresent invention relates to improved pa t illustrated in Fi ures 3 and4. 5 means to effectively seal a-closure upon a tank igure 6 is afragmentary Portien f 8 which is adapted to receive fluids under super-Dressible a 1 atmospheric pressureor subatmospheric pressure n tdrawing, wherein for the P p Of Mainly, the invention is directed tocommercially illustration is shown Only a vPreferredembodidesignatedliquefier tanks adapted to receive car- 1 ment of t invention, the q fitank s c u e bon dioxide in solid form, which in changing to includes acy i d shell an y 0 V- 10 vapor phase builds up r ur It i extremely inga closure B consisting of a main closure plate diflicult to effect aperfect seal at the juncture of I2 s complementary i or member 3 5 theclosure with the body of the tank. In the eiated t wi for effectively lp a m-j present invention this is accomplished by\ pro- D 'O ype of g keC in position- A eloslirez viding a gasket which is extremely practical,and clamping a d ta n r -J s-p v d for 15 associated with the closure insuch manner that. forcing the closure 3 d gasket C in Position it may beeffectively clamped across the juncture upon a yof the closure with thebody of the tank, and The tank'bedy, closure Portions and andmechanically compressed at each side of said preferably a so theretaining ring or member I5 juncture. Means is provided to admitpressures are forged metal- The cylinder Shell is 20 to the inside ofthe gasket in order to inflate it P ly aseamless forging with adome-shaped internally at an annular zone between the combottom havingam nipple at lower I pressed areas for the purpose of forcing the gasendwherein a P am Valve may berplacedket into a tight seal with thejuncture of the This seamless shell forging may be manufactured closureand t body f the tank This has after the method set forth in my U. S.Patent No. 25 accomplished Without subjecting the gasket 1,948,437. Itis also provided with suitable relief teriorly to pressures within thetank at a zone n gas control valves placed m the tapped open between thecompressed areas f the gasket ings [8, in accordance with thearrangement de- Thus the entire 'area at the outer side of the scribedin co'pending application serial'No" gasket between the mechanicallycompressed 589,273 filed g 9 30 zones of the gasket are subjected to farless presh shell 15 open at Its uppe? f and to sure than the tankpressure existing at the inner provlde the closure and gasket seat It 18preferably side f the gasket t g inwardlly flanged at 20 below the topedge 2| Other objects and advantages consist in the m This flange 20 istapered to provide adaptation of the above structure to a practicalflarmg dowtlwardly convefrgeljlt gasiket a dclosure type of closurewherein the gasket is assembled seat facmg the opemng Into the The uponthe closure in such relation that it may be: Ppenmg m tank above thetapgred seaft 23 effectively seated in the body of the tank. 15 Of eatdlemetel' than the maxlmum I In the drawing, wherein similar referencechareter of Seat and be Screw threaded 40 acters designate correspondingparts throughout as at elthel: wlth contmuous or Interrupted the severalviews threads, tpsrecg ive the clzsurte tc llamplfnghandllocking ring opreven ro a ion 0 e c osure 1115;153:5311:aairlaggileirfitrgassegzieolnzllgievgeggz B with the locking ring 5,during placement of an referred t fi t d t d t the latter, a suitableretaming pin and slot con- 1-5 y o as lque er a am 8 nectionof theclosure with the tank body may be receive phase changeable material suchas solld provided is set forth in a comendmg ammcw dioxlder and ShOWIPgmm partlculafly tion, Serial No, 658,611, filed February 25, 1933. themproved gasket clamping structure in asso- The closure B pref rablyconsists of the ciatlen Wlth the tank y d closure plementary portions I2and IS. The former is the Figure 2 18 a fragmentary sectional view Of anmain part of the closure and comprises the plate- 50 upper corner of thetank and closure showing lik body portion having a. depending annularmore p t a y e gasket structure. flange 30 at the outer peripheralportion thereof Figure 3 is a top plan view of one of the comto define asocket 3| wherein the raisedhub 32 of plementary parts of the closure,showing more the other closure part l3 may be received to particularly agasket seating surface thereon. properly center the parts l2 and I3. Thepart 55 l2 at its circumferential edge is shaped to conform to thetapered seat 23 of the tank body, which it contacts when the closure isin position.

It is the main purpose of the complementary closure parts I 2 and I3 toeffectively clamp the gasket C in position therewith so that it willeffectively seat against the tapered surface 23 of the tank body whenthe closure is lowered into position.

The gasket C is of a compressible type, prefer:

ably rubber, although it may be of other materials well known to thoseskilled in the art. In cross section it is angular, that is, preferablyconsisting of a flat annular portion 35 adapted to be clamped betweenthe closure parts l2 and I 3, and the ring-shaped portion 36 adapted tobe clamped between the closure part and the tapered seat 23, as is shownin Figure 2. A cross section of the gasket shows that the portions 35and 36 are arranged in acute angled channel providing relation; theirjuncture being intended to seat snugly across the juncture of theclosure part l2 with the seat 23 of the body ID, as is shown in Figure 2of the drawing.

It is intended in the present invention to take advantage of pressuresbuilt up in the tank incident to the phase changing material which it isto receive, for the purpose of. inflating the gasket, or rather forcingit into tight sealing contact across the juncture of the closure withthe tank body. To that end the closure part I3, at its outer peripheraledge is provided with an annular groove or recess 40 below the surface4| and above the bottom surface 42, into which suitable ducts 43 open;the ducts 43 extending through the closure part l3 and opening at thebottom thereof into the tank when the closure is in place.

- It should be noted that the parts 12 and I3 of the closure are boltedtogether for clamping the flange 35 of the gasket C in position. To thatend the closure part l2 has a central opening 46 which freely receives aportion of a stud bolt 41 therethrough. This stud bolt 41 is screwthreaded at 48 into the body of the closure part l3. A handled nut 43 isadjustably threaded upon the upper threaded portion of the stud 41 andof course clamps against the upper surface of the part l2 to bring theparts l2 and I3 into clamping assemblage with the portion 35 of thegasket C.

It is to be particularly noted that the outer peripheral edge of theclosure part I3 is tapered in substantial parallelism to the seat 23when the closure is in place in the tank, but normally closely spacedfrom the seat 23 when the tapered surface of the closure part i2 engagessaid seat 23. It is in this space that the flange or wall portion 36 ofthe gasket C is disposed in clamped seating engagement between thetapered circumference of the closure part l3 and the seat 23, as isshown in Figure 2 of the drawing.

An extremely important feature of the invention is the mechanicalcompression of the gasket throughout annular zones at each side of theannular groove or recess 40. Thus, as shown in Figure 2, an annular rib50 is'provided on the upper surface 4! of the'clcsure part l3 whichcompresses the gasket flange 35 throughout an annular zone when theparts l2 and, I3 are clamped together. This reduction of thickness ofthe gasket flange 35 effects a seal which prevents escape of fluidpressure. Also a similar annular rib 52 is provided on the taperedcircumferential surface of the part l3 below the groove 40, whichcompresses the gasket at this, annular 5 zone against the seat 23 uponclamping assemblage of the closure in the tank Ill. 1 It is to beparticularly noted that this rib 52 projects 5 beyond the taperedannular seating surface of the part I 3 in order to eifect'reduction inthickness of the gasket part 36.

With the closure B seated in the tank the locking ring I 5 is loweredand turned either by 10 spanner wrench or suitable handles 55 into thescrew threaded socket provided in the top of the tank body. This'clampsthe ring l5 against the closure and forces the latter downwardly againstthe tapered seat 23, mechanically compressing 16 the flange 36 againstthe seat 23 between the same and the part I3, because the wall thicknessof said flange is greater than the width 01' the space between the partl3 of the closure and the seat 23. The gasket is additionally com- 20pressed by reduction of thickness at the location of the rib 52. I Aspressures are built up within the tank they will pass through the ducts43' into the groove 43 tending to inflate the gasket, or rather com- 25pressing the gasket at its inner surface between the rib zones 50 and52, forcing the gasket into tight sealing contact across the juncture ofthe closure part l2 with the seat 23 of the tank body and effecting aseal which precludes escape of 39- any of the tank contents.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that an improved liquefier hasbeen provided wherein the closure and gasket assemblage are not onlypractical, but so arranged thatinternal presa5- sures transmittedagainst the inner side of the gasket, caused by gasification in theliquefler, will confine the inflation pressure of the gasket entirelyatthe inner side of the gasket due to the annular lug restriction, whichprevents the 40 gasket from moving.

Various changes in the shape, size, and ar-- rangement of parts may bemade to the form of invention herein shown and described, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or 5 the scope of the claims.7

I claim: t

1. The combinationof a tank body having an opening thereto provided witha tapered downwardly convergent seat, a closure construction 50' forsaid seat having a tapered downwardly convergent peripheral surface, agasket in mechan icallycompressed engagement between the taperedsurfaces of the closure construction and its seat, said closureconstruction having port means formed therewith to transmit pressuresexisting within the tank directly against a narrow circumferential zoneat the inner side of the gasket for forcing it into compressed seatingand sealing engagement against the tapered 00 seat of the tank body.

2. In a tank for holding fluids under superatmospheric pressure, a tankbody having an opening thereinto, a closure for the opening, a flexiblegasket in mechanical clamped compresc5 sion between the closure and tankwhen the former is in position, rneans for directing pressures existingwithin the tank throughout a circumferential zone against the inner sideof the gasket to further compress it in sealing contact 70 with the tankbody, and means to mechanically compress the gasket in sealing contactbetween the closure and tank at a location between said zone and theinside of the tank, said closure being free of other joints exposed tothe inside of 7,5

tank and closure."

- gent seat, a closure for the seat having a ta said tank except ,at'the location where the gasket is mechanically compressed between the 3.In a tank adapted to receive high pressures the combination of a tankhaving an opening thereto and a tapered downwardly converpereddownwardly convergent surface for/seating action with said seat,'aninflatable gasket clamped between the closure and the tank seat,

an annular compressing rib, for compressing the gasket to efiect a sealbetween the closure construction and its seat, and means for inflatingthe gasket by the I pressures existing within the tank, at a-locationbeyond said rib, into sealing contact at the juncture of the closureconstruction withsaid seat.

4. In a closure construction for high pressure tanks the combination ofa pair of complementary closure parts having means to releasably clampthe same together, an inflatable gasket including a portion clampedbetween said parts and another portion in seating engagement around theouter periphery of at least one of said parts, said closure having portstherein leading to the inner surface of the gasket for transmittinginflating pressures thereto, and means to compress the gasket intosealing relation with a tank seat when the closure is in the tank atperipheral zones at each side outwardly and inwardly of the locationwhere the pressure acts to inflate the gasket.

5. In a tank construction the combination of a tank body having'a seattherein, a closure comprising outer and inner parts, means to clamp theparts together, a gasket having a portion clamped between the parts ofthe closure and a second part peripherally contacting at least one ofthe parts of the closure in position to be clamped in sealing engagementwith the seat of the tank upon seating of the cover in the tank, meansto transmit tank pressures to the inner side of the gasket, a gasketcompressing ring between the closure parts to provide a zone ofadditional compression upon the gasket portion lying therebetween, and agasket compressing ring between the closure and the tank seat at alocation inwardly of the location where the tank inflating pressures actagainst the inner surface of the gasket.

6. In a tank for holding fluids under superatmospheric pressure, a tankbody having an opening thereinto and a gasket seat facing said opening,a closure for the opening having a portion adapted to overlie saidgasket seat, a flexible gasket mechanically clamped and compressedbetween said closure portion and said seat at spaced zones directly uponand surrounding said seat with an intermediate zone surrounding the seatnot under such mechanical compression, and means for directing fluidpressures existing within the tank against the inside of the gasket atsaid intermediate zone for pneumatically compressing the said gasket atsaid intermediate zone against ,the tank gasket .seat.

seat when it is disposed within the opening, said space being the onlyvjoint between the closure and the tank body which receives any pressurefrom within the tank, a gasket clamped in said space with its outer andinner sides respectively facing said seat and closure .plate surface and,in mechanical" compressed seating engagement therewith, means to ventpressures existing in thettank against the inner side of the gasket 5for expanding the same into sealing relation at said seat and. acrossthe juncture of the closure with the tank, said closure plate adapted tobe lowered. into the tank body for effecting the above mentionedmechanical compression of the gasket without rotational movementthereof, and means to releasably clamp said closure plate and hold, itin said gasket compressing relation without the necessity of rotatingsaid plate.

8. In a liquefier tank or the like the combination of a high pressureresistant tank body having an opening thereto and a seat in said openingtapering convergently towards the inside and bottom of the tank, aclosure having a peripheral surface adapted to face said tapered seat ofthe tank body in complementary slightly spaced relation thereto, agasket mechanically compressed directly upon and 'between the taperedseat surface of the tank body and said peripheral surface of theclosure, said gasket be ng supported and mounted upon said closure andin direct engagement with said peripheral surface, said closure havingport means therein open to the interior of the tank and open to theinterior of the gasket for directing pressures existing within the tankagainst the inner side of the gasket upon a restricted zone for furthercompressing the gasket against the tapered surface of the tank seat.

9. The combination of a tank body having an opening thereto and having aseat therein facing outwardly towards the opening, a closureconstruction for said seat having a surface facing said seat in closelyspaced relation thereto,

a gasket in mechanically compressed engageo ment between the seatsurface of the tank and said closely spaced surface of the closureconstruction, the closure construction in the surface thereof againstwhich the gasket is compressed having a narrow endless duct narrowerthan 5 said gasket and extending around and directly facing the insideof the gasket, said closure construction having port means thereincommunicating with said duct to transmit pressures existing within thetank directly into the duct against the inner side of the gasket forforcing it into compressed seating and sealing engagement against theseat of the tank body.

10. The combination of a tank body having an opening thereto providedwith a seat surface facing outwardly, a closure construction for saidseat having a surface facing and spaced closely with respect to saidseat surface, a gasket having opposed inner and outer surfaces inrespective mechanicallycompressed engagement with and between the saidsurfaces of the closure construction and seat, means on the closureplate to transmit pressures existing within the tank directly againstthe gasket at a zone within the limits of said seat for forcing it intofurther compressed seating and pressure sealing engagement upon saidseat and means additionally mechanically compressing the gasket insealed relation at a point outwardly beyond said zone to prevent leakageof the tank pressures therepast.

11. The combination of a tank body having an opening thereto providedwith a seat facing outwardly, a closure construction for said seathaving a surface facing and spaced closely with re- 75 spect to saidseat, a gasket inmechanically compressed engagement with and between thesaid surfaces of the closure construction and seat entirely around thejoint between the tank body and closure construction, and means totransmit pressures existing within the tank directly against the side ofthe gasket which is engaged with the surface of the closure constructionat a narrow zone surrounding said gasket and within the mechanicallycompressed area for forcing the gasket into further compressed seatingand sealing engagement at the said joint between the tank body andclosure construction.

12. The combination of a tank body having an opening thereto providedwith a tapered seat, a closure construction for said seat, a gasket incompressed engagement with and between the tapered seat and a facingsurfaw of the closure construction, means to clamp the closure upon thetank body so that the said gasket is in mechanical compression betweensaid tapered seat surface and the facing surface of the closure,

said closure having port means formed therein to transmit pressuresexisting within the tank directly against the inner side of the gasketat a certain zone for additionally forcing it into compressed seatingand pressure sealing engagement against said tapered seat.

13. The combination of a tank body having an opening thereto providedwith a tapered seat, a closure construction for said seat, a gasketbetween the tapered seat and a facing surface of the closureconstruction, means to clamp the closure upon the tank body so that thesaid gasket is in mechanical compression with and between said taperedseat surface and said facing surface of the closure, said closure havingport means formed therein to transmit fluid pressures existing withinthe tank directly'against the inner side of the gasket 'at a certainzone for additionally forcing it into compressed seating and pressuresealing engagement against said tapered seat, and an annular gasketcompression ring between the gasket receiving surface of the closure andthe tapered seat additionally mechanically compressing the gasketportion between the closure surface and the tapered seat in order toprevent leakage of pressures through the joint between the closure andtank.

14. In a liquefier tank or the like the combination of a high pressureresistant tank body having an opening thereto and a seat in said openingtapering convergently towards the inside of the tank, a closure having aperipheral surface adapted to face the tapered seat in the tank body incomplementary spaced relation thereto when the closure is assembled uponsaid tank, a gasket mechanically compressed directly upon and betweenthe tapered seat surface of the tank body and said peripheral surface ofthe closure, said closure having port means therein open to the interiorof the tank and open to the inside surface of the gasket at the saidperipheral surface of said closure for directing pressures existingwithin the tank against the inner side of the tank gasket upon arestricted zone: circumferentially surrounding said tapered seat forfurther compressing the gasket against said tapered seat, said closurebeing of a nature to be moved by direct rectilinear action forcompressing the gasket upon the tapered tank body seat without in thetank throughout a circumferential zone' against the inner side of thegasket to further compress itin sealing contact with the tank body,means to additionally mechanically compress the gasket in sealingcontact between the closure and tank at a location at each side of saidzone circumferentially about said closure,

said closure being free of other joints exposed to the inside of saidtank except at the first location above mentioned where the gasket ismechanically compressed between the tank and closure.

16. In a closure construction for high pressure tanks the combination ofa top plate, a bottom plate, means to clamp said plates together, achannel-shaped gasket having a portion clamped between said plates andanother portion extended in close fitting contact around the outerperiphery of the lower closure plate, said lower closure plate havingport means therein for transmitting pressures from the inside of a tankon which the construction is used to the inner surface of the portion ofthe gasket which fits around the outer periphery of said lower closureplate, said lower plate except for said port means 1 being otherwiseimperforate so far as outlet upon the under-surface of said plate isconcerned.

17. In a closure construction for high pressure tanks the combination ofa top plate, a. bottom plate, means to clamp said plates together, achannel-shaped gasket having a portion clamped between said plates andanother portion extended in close fitting contact around the outerperiphery of the lower closure plate, said lower closure plate havingport means therein for transmitting pressures from the under-side ofsaid plate to the inner surface of the portion of the gasket which fitsaround the outerperiphery of said lower closure plate, said lower plateexcept for said port means being otherwise imperforate so far as outletupon the under-surface of said plate is concerned, said lower platehaving its outer periphery whereon the said gasket portion is seatedshaped in a downwardly convergent direction towards the lower surfacethereof.

18. In a closure construction for high pressure tanks the combination ofinner and outer closure parts, a gasket having a portion to fit betweensaid parts and a portion extending in contact around the outer peripheryof at least one of said closure parts, and means to clamp said partstogether to compress the portion of the gasket therebetween, said innerclosure part having ducts therein for transmitting pressures from theunder side of the closure against the gaskets inner surface at arestricted zone surrounding said gasket.

JOHN FREDERICK BOWERS.

